Lofty aims high to preserve Shore’s history

A local community worker has joined forces with two conservation groups to help protect natural spaces and share their history.

Lofty Ned has been appointed as the new te taiao coordinator for both Pupuke Bird Song Project and Pest Free Kaipatiki.

Ned says his main responsibility is being the bridge between the land and the people, to gather knowledge from elders and tangata whenua and share why some places are important to conserve.

“A big part of it is to raise awareness around te ao Māori and the history of some of the places around the North Shore which people aren’t aware of.”

Ned told the Observer that many reserves across the peninsula have history that is little known such as Smiths Bush in Onewa Domain, which was a sacred burial ground for Māori.

“Our ancestors are growing there, they’ve merged with the trees and there’s a lot of areas like that around which are sacred.”

Ned’s first action in his new role will be sharing historical stories told by tangata whenua via online videos as well as hosting events in order to further communicate the importance of natural spaces on the North Shore. “With intensification happening now we don’t want to lose these areas... we need to save the biodiversity that’s already thinning.”

Ned is a well-known figure on the North Shore, having lived in Devonport for 20 years and through his involvement in many community activities.

He has organised Dance in the Park after the Devonport Santa Parade for 19 years, coordinated entertainment for Friday After Five and also runs Cuban dance lessons at the Devonport Community House.

In his professional life, Ned has worked as a personal trainer and manager at the former Devonport Health and Fitness gym, had a job in waste management in the private and public sectors, and had a stint in the video-game industry.